What kind of aluminum is used in boats?
toyota1515 > 09-28-2022, 07:46 AM
Picking the right grade of aluminum means balancing cost, ease of manufacturing, and the alloy’s material properties. Some alloys are easier to form or weld, which are important manufacturing considerations in hull manufacturing. Other alloys may provide superior corrosion resistance.
Aluminum boats for the retail market, including those by major manufacturers Lund and Princecraft, are primarily crafted from 5052. This wrought aluminum grade contains 2.2%-2.8% magnesium and 0.15%-0.35% chromium: these help it with corrosion resistance. The workability is only fair, however, and so some components on the boat may be made with other alloys.
6061, a builder’s aluminum alloy with additional silicon, carries excellent corrosion resistance and is easier to work, weld, and finish than the 5052. This aluminum is often used for extra strength or to form components that would be impossible to make with 5052. 6061 is more expensive and therefore is only used where the material properties and workability are worth the cost.
85% of aluminum is sold as wrought aluminum but cast aluminum may sometimes be used for specific components that need to be made in near-net shapes out of the mold. The most-used cast marine grade is A356, which is roughly equivalent to 6061. The silicon in the 6061 helps cast aluminum catch details in the mold.